Aldermaston marches
The first Aldermaston March took place at Easter in 1958, shortly after the launch of CND, when people marched for four days from London to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment close to [Aldermaston]] in Berkshire, England to demonstrate their opposition to nuclear weapons.[1][2] After 1958, the marches were initially held annually, including in 1960,[3] and there were revivals of the march in later years including in 1972 and in 2004.[4][5]
Participants
- Peggy Duff organised all the Aldermaston Marches of the late 1950s,
- Frank Allaun helped organise the first Aldermaston March,
- Sidney Hinkes was involved in the first Aldermaston March,
- Walter Wolfgang participated in the first Aldermaston March and led a revival of the march in 1972,
- Reg Freeson was one of five Labour MPs on the first Aldermaston March,
- Lindsay Anderson made the documentary March to Aldermaston (1959),
- Eric Idle was a keen supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and participated in the Aldermaston March.[6]
Songs
Ewan MacColl's English text of Song of Hiroshima was sung on the Aldermaston Marches by the London Youth Choir.[7]
References
- ^ A brief history of CND
- ^ "Early defections in march to Aldermaston". Guardian Unlimited. 1958-04-05. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "1960: Thousands protest against H-bomb". BBC News. 1960-04-18. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "1972: CND begins march to Aldermaston". BBC News. 1972-03-31. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Marchers protest at nuclear base". BBC News. 2004-04-12. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Eric "The Greedy One" Idle". Pythonland. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ "Ewan MacColl: 1915 – 1989, A Political Journey". Working Class Movement Library. Retrieved 2007-04-12.